Steven Rochen - Violin, Orchestras, Chamber Music
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Archive of rehearsal letters sent (2019)

January 31, 2018

​Dear Carnegie Hill Members:

I hope you are not too frozen! If you are, just “Let It Go…” Practice the Haydn Symphony movement. I am adding a repeat of the assignment from last week: 

The Russian Sailor’s Dance by Gliere. Practice this important musical expression: In the main tune of the piece (seen here in the cello part) make sure to really observe the accents. MAKE THEM OBVIOUS!

FIND THIS FIGURE IN YOUR PART...

Picture
Here are the metronome tempo markings for Russian Sailor’s Dance:

Beginning: Half-note = 70

Rehearsal # 3: Quarter note = 72

Rehearsal # 5: Quarter note = 96

Rehearsal # 7: Quarter note = 116

Rehearsal # 8: Quarter note  = 88

Rehearsal # 9: Tranquillo (Tranquil, resting)

Rehearsal # 10: Presto = Quarter note = 144

Rehearsal # 12: Moving faster

Rehearsal # 14: Run! Your pants are on fire!

It is time to now start looking at the notes at near-concert or concert speed!


Here is a video of the piece played by a very good youth orchestra:
https://youtu.be/dWxcpKwOb6o


JUST FOR FUN:
Here is a video of some cellists having a good time:
https://youtu.be/JHGU49Lw-TI

The Czech Philharmonic Orchestra - the slogan in Czech says: not every thing classical is serious:
https://youtu.be/2qEJzHdrkQg

​
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January 18, 2018 Letter

Dear Carnegie Hill Members:


The Russian Sailor’s Dance by Gliere. Teaching point: In the main tune of the piece (seen here in the cello part) make sure to really observe the accents. MAKE THEM OBVIOUS!

FIND THIS FIGURE IN YOUR PART...
Picture
Rondeau by Mouret

Focus on finding short notes, especially when you don’t have the main tune!

The articulations from the Rondeau (the “attack” notes of the first section) and the parts that some instruments have with slurs - remember that there is a space between the pairs of notes that are slurred. It is not smooth but actually more like a smooth note connected to a short note so the audience hears the pairs of notes.)
________________________________________________________________________
MURMURATION:

I spoke of precision within your section during the rehearsal and used the term “murmuration” - I mentioned that thousands of starlings (a type of bird) fly in precise “clouds” and they swoop and turn with great precision. Here is a short YouTube video of starlings in murmuration:

https://youtu.be/QOGCSBh3kmM
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Test word used it the last rehearsal: Lugubrious

Used in a sentence: “The cellos played with heavy, long notes that sounded lugubrious.”

Look up the word!


Musical links:
I am including a few links here (you can also find the links and more on my professional website where your orchestra has a page: www.stevenrochen.com)

Rondeau:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbj_7pQrmsM

Russian Sailor’s Dance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OZ6KwqQ2I4

Steven Rochen

Good luck in this weekend’s snow!
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January 9, 2019

​Dear Carnegie Hill Members:



Nice job at the first rehearsal of 2019 - I look forward to a good second semester of rehearsals and performances!

First pieces: we worked today on the Rondeau by Mouret and The Russian Sailor’s Dance by Gliere.

Focus points: The articulations from the Rondeau (the “attack” notes of the first section) and the parts that some instruments have with slurs - remember that there is a space between the pairs of notes that are slurred. It is not smooth but actually more like a smooth note connected to a short note so the audience hears the pairs of notes.)

I spoke of the cold in Russia with the example of throwing boiling water into the air to make artificial snow. Well, here is a video of someone doing just that in - 41C weather in Russia

https://youtu.be/jKMNSvpB9dY


Musical links:
I am including a few links here (you can also find the links and more on my professional website where your orchestra has a page: www.stevenrochen.com)

Rondeau:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbj_7pQrmsM

Russian Sailor’s Dance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OZ6KwqQ2I4

Steven Rochen

Wishing for a musical winter!
  • Home Page
  • About Me
    • Violin Videos & Audio Samples
    • Chamber Music
    • Compositions
    • Conducting Videos
    • Alexander Rybak Concert
  • Orchestras
    • Stevens Orchestra
  • Private Students
    • Viola Class
    • Adult String Ensemble
    • Current & Potential Students
    • Private Lessons, Coachings, Classes
    • Information for my students
    • Practice Tips
    • Videos: Alternative Styles
    • Interesting Media
  • Music in the time of Virus
  • Just for fun!